Water skiing device

ABSTRACT

A WATER SKIING DEVICE HAVING RETAINING MEMBERS FOR HOLDING TWO OR FOUR WATER SKIS IN A RIGID PARALLEL POSITION. THE DEVICE IS READILY ATTACHABLE AND DETACHABLE FROM THE SKIS WITHOUT THE USE OF ANY TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT AND IS ATTACHED IN SUCH A MANNER SO AS NOT TO MAR, PERMANENTLY MARK OR DAMAGE THE SKIS BEING USED. THE DEVICE IS ADJUSTABLE TO PERMIT SKIS OF VARIOUS SIZES TO BE UTILIZED AND IS SUITABLE FOR USE ON SKIS OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THE DEVICE IS FREE OF SHARP OR DANGEROUS PROJECTIONS AND HAS FEW MOVING PARTS TO BECOME RUSTED OR BROKEN. THE COMPONENT PARTS ARE SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE YET PROVIDE FOR A DEVICE WHICH IS STURDY AND DURABLE.

DSC. 14, 1971 l J, H SCHRECK WATER SKIING DEVICE Filed Jan. 2, 1970 -V/taaw c @44M ATTORNEYS lwlcnl'ron l JamesISahreck 3,626,529 WATER SKIING DEVICE James H. Schreck, 2908 12th St. NW., Massillon, Ohio 44646 Filed Jan. 2, 1970, Ser. No. 120 Int. Cl. A63c 15/00 U-S. Cl. 9-310 A 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A Water skiing device having retaining members for holding two or four water skis in a rigid parallel position. The device is readily attachable and detachable from the skis without the use of anytools or equipment and is attached in such a manner so as not to mar,

lpermanently mark or damage the skis being used. The

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates to a Water skiing device, two of which are used to clamp together a combination of two or four regular water skis to form a rigid platform which permits a novice or beginning skier to maintain his balance when being pulled to a standing position at the start. The natural tendency is for the skis to go out away from each other or come together at the start resulting in the skier not being able to get to a standing position and maintain it.

It is desirable to provide such a device that can easily and conveniently be attached and removed from the skis Without the use of any tools and without marring or leaving any attachment indication on the skis. It is further desired that the device have as few movable parts as possible which can become rusted and broken and that the device be free of sharp corners and projections which would be dangerous to a skier. It is also desirable that the device attach to the skis in such a manner to provide as little resistance as possible between the bottom of the skis and the surface of the water when being used.

Finally to make the device attractive to prospective buyers who may only need to use it for a short period of time while learning to ski, it should be made of a simple and inexpensive construction yet sturdy and durable. It should also be of a compact nature when detached for easy transportation and storage.

Description of the prior art Present water skis are generally of the same design and shape but may vary in their length, Width and type of material from which they are made, making it difcult for a particular device to be adaptable to many water skis currently being manufactured.

Most present devices, therefore, are designed for one particular pair of Water skis and is physically attached to them. This usually necessitates the expensive purchase of the special skis with the attachment or the need for tools in installing and removing the device.

Therefore, when the device is no longer needed by the skier, it is difficult to remove from the skis and leaves them permanently marked. Also most devices will only attach to one pair of water skis making it necessary for United States Patent O 3,626,529 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 the beginning skier to maintain his same position in the two skis foot stirrups with no possibility of changing.

Moving parts on such devices are undesirable in that they will rust and become worn and subject to breakage more readily than the rest of the device. Likewise, hard or pointed projections are undesirable in that injury may result to the skier having a fall.

Such devices are generally only used by the beginner and are not needed after a moderate amount of proficiency is obtained. Therefore, it is `desirable that such devices be inexpensive to buy. Also any such training device must not cause a large amount of resistance between the skis and the water surface.

These considerations thus have presented a need for a water skiing device designed to maintain a pair of water skis or two pairs of water skis in a rigid parallel position preventing any independent movement between them and permitting the skis used to be of diiferent lengths, widths and material. Likewise, it is desirable to provide a device in which the skis can quickly and easily be installed without any physical or permanent attachment to the device which would mar the skis surface and without the need of any tools or other equipment. Further, it is desirable to provide a device which can easily be removed from the skis without tools for transporting or storing of the skis and which permits the same skis to be used by a skier who has developed suicient ability to no longer need the assistance of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing a device which secures two or four regular water skis in a rigid position with respect to each other, providing a stable platform effect to enable a beginning skier to easily maintain his balance while being pulled to his feet which is the most ditiicult part for a beginner to master. Further, it is an object to provide such a device which is readily attachable to various sizes and materials of water skis without the need of any tools and in such a fashion that the skis are not marred or permanently marked after the device is removed.

Another object is to provide a device that is quickly and easily detachable from the skis for conveniently transporting or storing of either the skis or device and to permit the same skis to be used by a more experienced skier who does not desire or have the need to use the device.

It is a further object to provide a device which can be adjusted as to the distance between the two outside skis for a smaller or larger stance according to the physical size of the individual skier when only two skis are utilized, at the same time providing a device free from many moving parts which can become rusted and subject to breakage and free from sharp projections which could be dangerous to a skier in a fall. It is also important to provide such a device that when attached to the skis is so arranged so as to provide only a small amount of resistance between the skis and the surface of the water.

Another important object is to provide a device which is of a simple construction and is inexpensive to produce, yet sturdy and durable.

These objectives and advantages are attained by the Water skiing device, the general nature of which may be stated as including a pair of adjustable retaining members that are attached to a pair or two pairs of water skis for maintaining them in a rigid parallel position preventing independent movement between them, hook means at one end of each retaining -member for receiving the edge of one of the skis, clamping means for securing the skis to the retaining members and means for ad- ICC justing the retaining members to accommodate skis of various sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention-illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle-is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of skiing device in operating position with four skis attached including a front cover with parts broken away and in section;

FIG, 2 is a rear elevational view of the skiing device in normal operating position Without the skis being shown;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the skiing device with the middle portion removed;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken along line SAS of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred method by which the invention is utilized. The water skiing device generally indicate at 1 is attached to the front portion of four regular water skis 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d. An identical device 3 is attached to the rear portion of the skis. These two devices are similar in construction and operation, therefore, only the front device 1 Will be explained in detail.

The water skiing device includes two similar retaining members 4 and 5 (FIG. 2) which may be flat bars as shown preferably made of aluminum; although they can be made of steel, fiber glass, plastic or other suitable material. Retaining members 4 and 5 are each formed with three slots 6 (FIG. 3) equally spaced along their length through which a bolt generally indicated at 7 extends. One end of each retaining member 4 and 5 is formed with a hook or channel formation 8 and 9, respectively.

Bolt 7 (FIG. 4) includes a shank 10, two opposite sides 11 of which are flattened and the other two sides 12 are comparatively narrow, and a threaded top portion 13. Attached to the lower end portion of shank is a ange member 14.

When assembled in operating position, either retaining member 4 or 5 is placed on top of the other retaining member. For purposes of the disclosure retaining member 4 is placed on top of retaining member 5 (FIG. 2).

Bolts 7 are inserted through slots 6 forming adjustable areas '15 and 16 between flanges 14 into which skis 2b and 2c are inserted, and areas 17 and 18 between flanges 14 and hook ends 8 and 9 into which skis 2d and 2a are inserted.

-Nuts 19, which are covered with rubber 20, or other soft material for the safety of the skier, are screwed onto the threaded portion 13` and tightened down, clamping the two inside skis 2b and 2c firmly between the bottom of retaining member S and flanges 14. The two outside skis 2d and 2a are held secured in hook ends i8 and 9 by `flanges 14 which clamp them securely to the bottom of member 5.

The inside surfaces of hook members 8 and 9, the top surfaces of flanges 14 and the bottom side of retaining member 5 are covered with a rubberized cement 21 or similar material to prevent the surfaces of the skis from being marred when clamped into position.

Although the invention is illustrated with four skis, skis 2b and 2c can easily be removed and the device operated satisfactorily with remaining skis 2a and 2d.

For the comfort and convenience of the skier a cover 22, generally made of canvas or similar material, can be placed over the front portion of the skis and secured there by snaps 23` and openings 24 in the cover top through which the top portion of bolt 7 passes. Cover 22 prevents water from being sprayed up between the openings between the skis and into the face of the skier.

The skier will normally position his feet in the two outside foot stirrups 25 and 26 which are standard equipment on any water skis. However, when using the device with four skis, the skier, upon becoming tired, can sit down upon the skis using them as a type of water sled.

The two center skis 2b and 2c can also be removed along with the center bolt and iiange assembly eliminating the platform effect, yet still providing the means for rigidly maintaining the skis in parallel and preventing any independent movement between them.

Although all water skis are of the same general size and shape there may be slight variances in the widths. By providing the retaining members 4 and 5 with slots `6, this permits adjustment to be made to accommodate different widths of skis.

In such an arrangement of skis, the natural tendency of the water, while the skier is being pulled, is to spray up through the openings between the skis and into the face of the skier. The amount of water and the force of the spray is not sufficient to cause undue discomfort but for the convenience of the skier, especially a beginner, it should be `kept to a minimum. This is accomplished by narrowing sides 12 of bolt shank 1t) permitting the adjacent skis to be placed closer together.

As a further means to prevent this spray. cover 22 is utilized over the front portion of the skis. Cover 22 merely adds to the convenience of the skier, and the device will perform quite satisfactorily without it if the skier so desires.

Although the complete device consisting of the four retaining members and six bolt and flange assemblies, comprises a considerable number of pieces, the entire number, however, is made up of only a few different components. This permits the mass production of these components with its resulting savings.

By keeping the thickness of ange members 14 and hook ends 8 and 9 to a minimum, the device when attached offers little resistance between the skis and the water surface.

Accordingly, the new water skiing device provides an arrangement in which either one pair of two pairs of regular water skis are held rigidly together in parallel preventing any independent movement Ibetween them, thereby permitting a beginning water skier to easily be pulled to a standing position by the boat and maintain it; provides a device which is readily attachable and detachable from water skis without the use of any tools and in a manner that will not mark or mar the skis used and is adjustable to lit skis of various widths; provides a device with a few moving parts and which is free from sharp or hard projections which would be dangerous to the skier; provides a device which is attachable in such a manner to offer as little resistance as possible between the skis and the surface of the water; provides a device which is of a simple and inexpensive construction yet sturdy and durable; and provides a construction eliminating difficulties present with prior devices, and which achieves the objectives stated and solves existing problems in the art.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broad. ly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described,

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved water skiing device is constructed and used, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for rigidly maintaining in parallel two pairs of skis including a pair of adjustable retaining members, hook means at one end of each retaining member for receiving the edge of a ski, clamping means for securing the skis to the retaining members, said clamping means including bolts, a ange member at an end of each bolt and a nut threaded upon the other end thereof for clamping the skis against said retaining members, and adjusting means in the retaining members to accommodate skis of various sizes.

2. A device for rigidly maintaining in parallel two pairs of skis including a pair of adjustable retaining members, hook means at one end of each retaining member for receiving the edge of a ski, clamping means for securing the skis to the retaining members, said clamping means includes a bolt provided with a shank, two opposite sides of which are flattened and the other two sides of which are comparatively narrow, a flange member attached to the lower end of the bolt shank and a top threaded portion for receiving a nut and adjusting means in the retaining members to accommodate skis of various sizes.

3. A device for rigidly maintaining in parallel two pairs of skis including a pair of adjustable retaining members, hook means at one end of each retaining member for receiving the edge of a ski, clamping means for securing the skis to the retaining members, and adjusting means in the retaining members to accommodate skis of various sizes, said adjusting means including slots equally spaced along each retaining member through which the clamping means are inserted.

4. A device for rigidly maintaining in parallel two pairs of skis including a pair of adjustable retaining members, hook means at one end of each retaining member for receiving the edge of a ski, clamping means for securing the skis to the retaining members, adjusting means in the retaining members to accommodate skis of various sizes, and cover means extending over the front portion of the skis and attached to the top portion of the clamping means.

5. A device as dened in claim 4 in which the cover means includes a rectangular shaped piece of material with securing means at the corners for attaching the corners together and provided with slots through which the top portion of the clamping means extends.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the clamping bolt includes a shank, and in which two opposite sides of said shank are flattened and the other two sides are comparatively narrow.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the adjusting means includes slots equally spaced along each retaining member through which the clamping means are inserted.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 in combination with a cover means extending over the front portion of the skis and attached t0 the top portion of the clamping means.

9. A device as dened in claim 8 in which the cover means includes a rectangular shaped piece of material with securing means at the corners for attaching the corners together and provided with slots through which the top portion of the clamping means extends.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,273,528 9/1966 Kiefer 114-39 X 2,959,795 1l/1960 Leung 9--310 C 3,504,405 4/ 1970 Elliott-Smith 24-81 SK 3,066,328 12/1962 Jones 9-310 C MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner P. E. SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner 

